Veteran quarterbacks on the Browns roster without a history of sustained success are teasing fans and maybe even management contemplating how to use Cleveland’s first pick in the 2014 draft.
The Browns would pick sixth in the first round if the draft were today.
Jason Campbell passed for a career-high 391 yards, threw three touchdown passes and did not throw an interception in the 27-26 loss to the Patriots last Sunday.
Campbell will make his sixth start for the Browns on Sunday when the Chicago Bears roll into FirstEnergy Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Browns are 1-4 in his first five starts, but his personal numbers might be better than the record — 116 completions in 197 attempts (58.9 percent) for 1,324 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
All three interceptions were thrown in the 41-20 loss in Cincinnati a week after Campbell’s ribs were severely bruised in the game against the Ravens.
Then there is Brian Hoyer, on injured reserve since suffering a torn right ACL on Oct. 3. He started one game in his first four years in the NFL. He started two for the Browns and won both before blowing out his knee.
Hoyer is working hard in his rehab to be ready for training camp next summer, if not OTAs in May.
Campbell is focused on finishing strongly in 2013 and returning next season in whatever capacity the Browns choose. Including games this season, he is 32-44 as a starter since being drafted by the Redskins in the first round in 2005. His longest winning streak as a starter was four games while with Washington in 2008.
“I thought a part of me was just hitting my stride maybe a year and a half ago (with the Raiders) before my (broken collarbone) injury,” Campbell said in the locker room Wednesday before practice. “I had to pretty much watch for a whole year. So getting that start against Kansas City (Oct. 27) was kind of like my opportunity to play for real since being hurt out in Oakland.
“To go out and play that well (vs. New England) is exciting. At the same time, the last two days have been rough just because we got the loss and that’s all I can think about. What could we have done differently to try and get a win, including myself?”
Campbell started 16 games for the Redskins in 2008 and 16 more for them in 2009. He was traded to Oakland in 2010 and started 12 games that season. He was 4-2 as a starter in 2011 before his collarbone was broken in a game against the Browns. He made only one start with the Bears last year. He could have remained in Chicago but signed with the Browns because he knew he would have a chance to start.
“He’s just a real smart veteran,” wide receiver Josh Gordon said. “He’s got a lot of confidence and he’s really tough. He’s a grown man, real mature, been in the league a long time. He’s not going to get too excited about the little things and he attacks the game as a professional. That’s what I’d call him — definitely a real professional.”
Campbell, 31, is under contract through next season. Five of the eight highest-rated quarterbacks in the league are older than Campbell.
“I just want to continue to take it one year, two years at a time and see where it goes,” Campbell said. “I feel like I’ve done enough. I want to make sure I leave the game putting my all into it and, at the same time, being healthy. I feel like I still have some go in me.”
Campbell is also a realist. He knows the Browns are likely to take a quarterback in the first round. Teddy Bridgewater from Louisville, Johnny Manziel from Texas A&M and Brett Hundley from UCLA are possibilities.
Derek Carr from Fresno State and AJ McCarron of Alabama could be second-round picks.
Whichever quarterback is drafted will need someone to guide him and Campbell is willing to do the guiding. The way Campbell is playing and the way Hoyer played, the Browns might not have to start the rookie immediately.
“They have an option in February whether they want to bring me back,” Campbell said. “My goal is to keep doing the things that I can to do improve as a quarterback and improve as a player. There’s a lot of youth on this team. You can see a lot of progress is being made from last season to this season. I see a lot of upside here.
“If they bring in a young quarterback, of course, you’re going to do everything you can to mentor him and help him. At the end of the day, we’re still teammates. We’re all competing for the same jobs, but you’re also helping your teammates.”
Hoyer could play the same role.

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About the Author

Jeff has covered the Cleveland Browns since 1981. He also covers the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League and the Cleveland Gladiators in the Arena Football League. Reach the author at jschudel@news-herald.com
or follow Jeff on Twitter: @jsbrownsinsider.